When Christian Science first came to me I was in the depths of unhappiness and despair, which condition I can now plainly see was brought about through my false concept of existence. I was seeking happiness and contentment through material channels, but found only disappointment and sorrow.
When I first read the words from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 227), "Discerning the rights of man, we cannot fail to foresee the doom of all oppression. Slavery is not the legitimate state of man. God made man free," I realized that I was free; and for a moment I saw the unreality of materiality. From that moment on, as I learned to seek the kingdom of God first, through right thinking,—that is, as I learned to think healthy thoughts instead of diseased thoughts, loving thoughts instead of hateful thoughts,—my life began to be completely changed. Step by step I have proved that "God is love," and that He is "our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Two instantaneous proofs that "the word of God is quick, and powerful," came to my little son, proofs for which I shall never cease to be grateful, because with the healings there came an overwhelming sense of God's infinite love. The first healing came when I was traveling many hundreds of miles away from home. My little son was then a year and a half old. His bowels were affected; and after a week of intense disorder I found myself in a strange city, not knowing any one, and my son unable to walk because of weakness and lack of nourishment. I knew that God would lead me to the right one for help, as my own understanding did not seem adequate to meet the situation. God had led me every step of the way, and I had had many proofs of His loving protection. My first thought was to look in the telephone directory under "Classified Business," where I would see the names of Christian Science practitioners listed, as I had no copy of The Christian Science Journal with me. I called up the first name on the list; and when I hung up the receiver of the telephone the child was healed. Nor did he have any return of the trouble during the five months I was away from home.
